Jane Fonda's staying active

There are those who associate her with aerobics and leg warmers; others who are still upset by the anti-war comments she made during Vietnam; and many simply know her as the Academy Award-winning actress who appeared in films, including “On Golden Pond,” “Nine to Five,” “Klute” and, of course, “Barbarella.”

The multifaceted Hollywood figure is the latest to take the stage with former talk-show host Dick Cavett as part of Harrah’s Hollywood Legends Series. The live question-and-answer series previously featured Shirley MacLaine, Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher, and it will welcome Burt Reynolds on April 23 and James Caan on May 14.

Hollywood Legends at Harrah’s with Jane Fonda and Dick Cavett

Before her turn under the spotlight, Fonda warmed up by answering a few of our questions via email:

Q: Have you met Dick Cavett before, and if so, in what capacity? How do you feel about being interviewed by him in front of a live audience?

A: I have met Dick Cavett many times, both socially and when he interviewed me on “The Dick Cavett Show.” I found him to be a wonderful interviewer, and I am looking forward to doing an interview with a live audience again. I hope there’ll be time for questions from the audience. I always love that!

Q: What piece of work that you’ve done is most meaningful to you and why?

Q: People still associate you with aerobics. How does that make you feel? How would you address America’s problems with obesity?

A: Of course they still associate me with aerobics. I am still doing . . well, they aren’t videos anymore, though I keep forgetting . . . DVDs of aerobic and strength programs. Only now they are for people over 50 and they are really successful. People are loving them. I have just finished taping two more for release next winter. I am proud that I have encouraged people to get physically active. Many children grew up watching their mothers doing “Jane” and now they exercise themselves.

As for obesity, we need to change our government’s policy of subsidizing (with our tax dollars) agribusiness that grows corn and such for use in making fructose. Fast food is cheap because the substances used in it are subsidized. If we subsidized fresh, wholesome food, that good stuff would be less expensive, too. Parents need to set good examples by eating healthy and staying physically active.

Jane Fonda in the futuristic space adventure film, "Barbarella." AP

Q: San Diego is a military town. Do you find that your statements about Vietnam will ever be accepted or forgiven?

A: I am proud of our country’s military. I spent many years working to help active-duty servicemen (they were mostly men back then) and have received many letters thanking me for the work I and others did. I produced “Coming Home” based on the things I learned while talking to servicemen and their wives. According to a Veterans Affairs poll at the time, the film was voted the veterans’ favorite film (along with “The Green Berets”). There is much misunderstanding about what I did and didn’t do in Vietnam. Where I made a mistake, I have apologized publicly numerous times. But there will be some who cannot forgive. I understand. I am sorry for that.

Q: What advantages/disadvantages did you have growing up in an established Hollywood family?

A: Being the daughter of Henry Fonda was a blessing. I learned many important things from him, and it also helped me when I was starting out as a young actor. The only bad part is, when you are young, you don’t always know if people are nice to you because of who your family is or because of you, yourself.